WILDLIFE NEWS OF THE DAY - 061609

A New York-based wildlife rehabilitator shares some stories in our first wildlife article today. A Eurasian louse has apparently arrived in the US on imported deer and is making life miserable for domestic breeds; while deer are causing problems for homeowners in Indianapolis, Indiana; and, with the bad economy spurring residents of West Virginia to grow their own produce, a legislator is considering reviving a bill that deals with deer ravaging these gardens. Not everyone complains about deer hanging around, however, as a sociable deer in Wisconsin who liked to hang around people has been relocated to a wildlife park by state officials, something they generally don't do. Interstate 5 was closed for a time in Wilsonville, Oregon, after a deer collided with a motorcycle, spilling both occupants and killing the deer. A nuisance bear who became aggressive had to be killed in Yuma, Arizona; and a hungry bear is roaming around a Fairfax County, Virginia, neighborhood. Residents of several communities in Iowa have reported a black bear rambling through; and a black bear was seen in an Ohio community. A black bear who had scampered up a tree in New York state fell to its death after being tranquilized. A pair of rabid raccoons was discovered in a West Virginia county. Two cougar stories out of Canada today: an Ontario man is concerned about a cougar he spotted in the area; and a rash of cougar sightings in British Columbia (six on Friday alone) has wildlife officials cautioning residents about possible encounters with the big cats. More information on last week's cougar encounter between a big cat and a trio of small dogs in Southern California is up next. A red-tailed hawk is nearing her 30th birthday in Minnesota; but eagle-watchers in Michigan will have to conduct their viewing from afar as motorists trying to ogle the raptors are tying up traffic. A columnist from Central California exults the virtues of turkey vultures. A small plane taking off from an airport in Albuquerque, New Mexico, had a run-in with a coyote; but one Canadian woman wants a coyote family that lives under her shed in Calgary, Alberta, to move on before pets or kids get hurt. Farmers in North Carolina, tired of losing lambs and calves to invasive coyotes have come up with a secret weapon: donkeys! And finally, a Toronto, Canada, line-painting crew was apparently distracted when they painted right over a dead skunk in the middle of the road (although you would think the smell would have alerted them!)

SLIDE SHOW: Raising deer to release into the wild

Exotic Louse found on mule deer near Saratoga

Deer herd control becoming larger problem

More gardens likely to revive deer damage issue

'Friendly deer' gets a second chance

NB I-5 reopened after collision between motorcycle and deer near Wilsonville

Game and Fish kills bear near Cornville

Baby black bear spotted in Clifton

Black bear seen near Bellevue

Black bear spotted again in Springboro

Bear Dies After Fall from Tree

Two raccoons found near Renick had rabies

Man sure he saw cougar

Beware of cougars, B.C. conservation officers warn

Close encounters: Riverside County woman played it smart in mountain lion confrontation

Spreading her wings here

Roadside eagle watching restricted for safety reasons

Gary Bogue: Vultures are some of my favorite people

Safe Landing After Coyote Strike

Calgary woman discovers coyote family under shed

Donkeys guard cows from coyotes

Road-painting crew paints right over dead skunk in the middle of the road